My husband and I argue everyday - How to stop arguing with your spouse.
When you go to the core, what is your marriage? Beyond the romantic ideal, you are part of a cooperative friendship with someone unique whom you consider highly significant.
Arguments tear at the sense of cooperation and friendship. It has been established that for every negative comment you make to your spouse, it takes 6 positive comments for them to feel positive towards you again. It doesn't take long for arguments to damage a marriage.
It has been popular to teach couples the art of fair fighting. I suggest that this is not necessary because at its core an argument is nothing more that, "I'm right and you are wrong." This is conflict, and does not promote a solution. Couples who discover how to resolve their conflicts have marriages that last and are happily satisfying.
So here is the way to stop arguing with your spouse:
Stop arguing with your spouse!
Refuse to do so. Instead, choose to engage your partner in cooperative, solution focused discussion.
At first this new behavior will feel uncomfortable and unnatural. It is a change, and let's face it, continuing to do the same thing and expecting different results is insanity. With practice and time you can replace your old "habit" of arguing and fighting.
It will take effort for this process to work. It calls for commitment to a changed way of talking about differences and conflicts with your spouse. As I hope you will see, it is a more effective way of communicating. You can make the adjustment. Besides, aren't the arguments draining you? I challenge you to use this wasted energy to learn and practice a new model of finding solutions.
It is helpful if both partners agree to make the change. It is not necessary though. It will take longer for the other party to come along, and you can begin making effective change alone.
Before you begin, it is really necessary for you to call a truce. By this I mean, in your heart and mind, you have to accept and forgive. Let go of your negative thoughts and feelings about your partner. Don't hold their mistakes in your previous arguments against them. Unless you have a hidden time machine, let the past go. Yes, this is a challenge; however, hidden agendas can sabotage the success of your attempt to do it differently.
Maybe a help here would be to get out your old wedding photos or watch that video tape you haven't watched in such a while. If these make you sad or cause you to cry, let it out. This is your realization of your love for this person and recognition of the need to find a more peaceful way of getting along.
The next time a conflict presents do everything you can to maintain focus. When you are aware that an argument is starting, Stop! Say the following to your partner:
"(Their name), I love you. It feels like we are starting to argue and I don't want to do that. Do we need to wait for a better time, or can we take a moment and talk about this calmly?"
The next challenge is to just listen. Yes, you have a point of view and you have needs that are conflicting with your partner's. They don't stand a chance of being heard unless your partner feels heard and understood.
You are best off talking about needs. Discussing your differences just highlights the conflict. Ask your partner what it is they need. Again, listen to them unconditionally. Don't be thinking about your response. If you don't understand their need, ask questions and make re-statements of what you hear until you really understand; and, they agree with your understanding.
At this point your partner will most likely be in a place to hear your needs and concerns. You may discover you have more in common than you thought.
After you both have stated you concerns, you can focus on a creative solution.
Try to come up with a strategy to meet as many of both parties needs as is possible. By working together to create the answer it will be the "best" solution for both, and it will bring you closer.
Sorry to say, this doesn't sound all that romantic, and even a bit formal and stilted. Leave the romance for later. Let it be icing on the cake. If you and your partner resolve your conflicts: 1) you won't be arguing; and 2) you will probably feel more loving towards each other. Isn't that what romance really is anyway?
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What can you do today to make your marriage better? The good thing about asking yourself this question is that you at least understand that your marriage can be better.
No matter what your marriage is like now it can be better. And you will discover 2 simple but very effective ways to make it better. Read on...
Number 1 - Reconnect with Your Spouse
Do you realize that you are with your spouse today because of the fact that you guys connected on one level or another at some point in the past?
Maybe it was one day when you were in church and you spotted this amazing, (scratch that) stunning, hot looking blonde femme fatale across the aisle opposite from where you were sited.
What made you guys connect was boredom - you were bored stiff of the droning of the preacher. He just kept going on and on and on about the original Greek meaning of the word transfiguration. Before that day in church you actually thought that transfiguration referred to the science of transforming numbers into something else.
So when your gazes met, she winked and feigned yawning. Afterwards when you guys met outside she told you how she hoped someone would deliver her from the sermon.
As you continued talking you realized that you had quite a lot in common. You both enjoyed playing the game of badminton and chess. You both enjoyed watching movies at home from DVDs for the same exact reason (so you could control the flow of play). And that is how you connected to each other.
Unfortunately you have forgotten those early days due to the stress of life - jobs, kids, bills and so on. You need to find a way to reconnect. Take some time to admire your wife / husband. Reenact that eye contact which occurred in that church and when your gazes meet this time around, give your spouse a smile. Let the smile come from your eyes.
Number 2 -Nurture That Connection
Now that you are reconnected you should make sure that it remains thus. Make it a point of duty to remind yourself why you love your wife or your husband. Always cast your mind back to how you met.
Try and engage in activities that you enjoy together. Buy new racquets and go out for a game of badminton. Or set up a game of chess and ensure that it lasts for weeks if possible without ending it.
Do whatever it takes to make your connection last "until death do you part".
50% of people divorce. Do not be another statistic. You Can Save Your Marriage. There are powerful techniques that will allow you to trust again and ignite the fire and passion back into your relationship. Save Your marriage today! Click Here
Divorce does not have to be your only option. Even if it feels as though your marriage can't be saved because of the ongoing conflicts between you and your spouse, it can be. There are techniques that you can begin using today that will not only stop a divorce but will help also you build a stronger and more loving marriage - Learn More Here
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Further Reading:
My Husband Is Withdrawing From Me
My Husband Says He Is Miserable With Me
My Husband No Longer Desires Me
My Wife Is Not Happy With Me Anymore
Separated Husband Doesn't Miss Me